Häälikud

Häälikud are the basic units of sound in spoken language. They are the smallest distinct sounds that can differentiate meaning in a word. For example, the words "pala" and "kala" differ only by the initial häälik, /p/ and /k/, respectively, showing how häälikud are crucial for distinguishing words.

Häälikud are broadly categorized into two main types: vowels and consonants. Vowels are sounds produced with an open vocal tract, allowing air to flow freely. The position of the tongue and the shape of the lips determine the specific vowel sound. Consonants, on the other hand, are produced by obstructing or narrowing the vocal tract in some way. This obstruction can occur at various points in the mouth, such as the lips, teeth, or throat.

The study of häälikud falls under phonetics, the branch of linguistics concerned with the physical aspects of speech sounds. Phonetics examines how häälikud are produced by the vocal organs (articulatory phonetics), how they are transmitted through the air (acoustic phonetics), and how they are perceived by the listener (auditory phonetics). The system of häälikud used in a particular language is described by its phonology, which also deals with how these sounds are organized and used to create meaning. Understanding häälikud is fundamental to comprehending the structure and function of any spoken language.